Born in Buffalo, New York, Frankie Crocker was a radio DJ, who it would seem was a larger than life character.

One eccentric episode was when he rode through the entrance of "Studio 54" on the back of a white stallion.

Written by the "All Platinum" gang using a previous release "Willie & The Mighty Magnificents - Funky 8 Corners" and speeded up a little, Frankie would use this as his theme tune for a while.

Sounding not unlike "Tighten Up", but at 100mph, this was and still is a stomping classic, which kept many a dance floor full at all the best venues back in the mid 1970's and is back in demand which led to it being reissued here in the UK by Outta Sight records on a similar looking label.​

"Tighten Up" was a number 1 hit for the boys in 1968, and the first releases of the 45 have "Dog Eat Dog" as the flip which was later replaced with "Tighten Up Part 2".

"Dog Eat Dog" is a great if often over looked dancer, which I have loved since I first found a Canadian copy back in the early 80's in "Coast to Coast" in Thorne.​

The Van Dykes - Save My Love For A Rainy Day

Now this is a 100% real deal All Nighter monster, as it never sounds better than when it is played out loud over a big sound system at 3am in the morning.

Formed in 1964, "The Van Dykes" were, Rondalis Tandy, Eddie Nixon, Wenzon Mosley, and James Mays.

The Van Dykes' first major show was at the Howard Theatre, in Washington, D.C., where they shared a bill with "The Four Tops".

The Van Dykes live gig's were mainly in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Waco. They also appeared up and down the East Coast, from Florida to Connecticut.

Even after the group had a chart record, one Forth Worth club offered them only thirteen dollars for a night's appearance!​

Jimmy McFarland - Lonely Lover

A "Jobete" number which was recorded at "Motown" by "Marvin Gaye" and also "The Four Tops", but neither version got released at the time.

Jimmy's version was recorded in L.A. and released in 1967.

A timeless classic and still a guaranteed floor filler, this is always in demand with the collectors and dancers alike.

Gloria Lynne - You Don't Have To Be A Tower Of Strength

Gloria Alleyne was born in Harlem, New York.

This 1961 release is the answer song to "Tower Of Strength" by Gene McDaniels on Liberty 55371.

A track which has been uber popular in recent years, it is nice to see records like this getting the turn table action they deserve.​

Linda Lloyd - Breakaway

Here we have a fabulous beat ballad by a lady whom I know nothing about.

This was massively popular about a decade or more ago, and it will still pack the floor today

This has just the right amount of tempo changes to keep the dancers as well as the collectors happy.

The Stock or the Demo are not the easiest discs to find cheaply, so if you really want a copy, prepare to get your folding money out.​

Betty La Vette - I'm Holding On

Betty Haskins was born in Muskegon, Michegan and raised in Detroit.

She recorded "My Man, He's a Lovin' Man" / "Shut Your Mouth", when she was just 16.

Although "Big Wheel" was a "New York" label, "I'm Holding On" is 100% Detroit, in fact it is a "Jobete" number.

Such a powerful vocal and backing track, makes this a perfect all nighter record.

Betty Lavette - I Feel Good

Now this sounds much more like a New York production and no surprise as Don Gardner is at the controlls.

Betty's vocals are still as strong as ever on this stomping oldie.

Brilliant, just brilliant, and nowhere near overplayed like some oldies.

Turley Richards take on this track has been massive now for a few years, but this still gets overlooked, why? who knows, this is brilliant.​

The C.O.D.'s - I'm Looking Out For Me

"The C.O.D.'s" were, Larry Brownlee, Robert Lewis and Carl Washington.

This record was released in 1966, a year later than "Michael".

Sounding very similar, probably to try and cash in with the success they had with "Michael", this is still a good dancer.

The same year of 1966 would see the group have two rare 45's released, "Coming Back Girl", and "She's Fire".

Another great "Alternative" oldie that won't need a second mortgage to own.

The C.O.D.'s - I'll Come Running Back

If you flip the 45 over, we find this nice crossover type ditty, that is a real grower.

This is the side of this 45 which I now prefer.

Another good double sided 45 for the collection.

The Tymes - The Love That You're Looking For

One look at the writing and productions of this 45 (Billy Jackson, Thom Bell, Lee Andrews, Richie Rome & Jimmy Wisner), tells us that this should be something special, and boy it doesn't disappoint.

There are quite a few recordings by "The Tymes" which have received attention from the Northern Soul Scene, including "Here She Comes" "What Would I Do" "This Time It's Love" and "Street Talk" among others.

"The Tymes" went onto have big success in the 70's with hits like "Ms Grace"

The group have changed their line up over the years and members have included, Donald Banks, Albert Berry, Norman Burnett, George Hilliard & George Williams.

This 1969 release for"Columbia" has so far been on the whole fairly overlooked by the Soul Scene, but what a cracking little tune it is.

I bought this after Richard Domar tipped it in his fanzine "The Owls Effort", and it has been an off and on spin for me over the years.

A great under played 45 for your collection.

The Tymes - People

People is a cover of a song from the film "Funny Girl", which starred Barbra Streisand.

This was a number 39 US and number 16 here in the UK.

The Tymes do a fantastic job here and although this isn't really dance floor material, it is still a brilliant tune to listen to.​

The Tymes - Here She Comes

Now here is a real Northern Soul classic oldie.

This got a UK release in 1964, and it went straight onto the playlists of all the best clubs, where it has stayed popular through the years.

It only made number 92 in the US charts, but copies should be easily available.

A brilliant oldie to spin out at your local do, as the dancers still love it. ​

Jackie Wilson - Higher & Higher

Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr has had many many of his recordings played on the Northern Soul scene, and they don't come much better than this classic.

This 1967 release is such a great track which does suffer from over familiarity, but imagine hearing this again for the very first time.

The type of disc that got a lot of people interested in their Soul music, not to mention giving the Youth Clubs some things to play to a fledgling audience.​

The Creations - Just Remember Me

"The Creations" were out of Chicago, but I know nothing about them other than their other 45 on "Globe" records, "I've Got To Find Her" which is a much harder sounding number, and "Oh Baby", and all three singles received spins at the Stafford "Top Of The World" all nighters in the mid 80's.

I've just remembered that they had a brilliant double sided release on "Zodiac" records as well.

"Just Remember Me" seems to be the hardest 45 to find, and a great light group dancer it really is.

Set at a skip along mid tempo pace, the song tells us of a soldier on his way to Vietnam telling his sweet heart to remember him.

Creations - I've Got To Find Her

Just a little slower tempo here, but still a great male harmony dancer, albeit a little on the short side.

This still has plenty of life left in it and is probably the easiest of the groups 45's to track down.

Have a listen and see what you think.​

Edward Hamilton & The Arabians / The Natural Looks - My Darling Baby

Here we have Edward on one of his "Other" dancers.

"Mary Jane" records changed their label layouts, which was a good idea as it makes the credits easier to read.

Although not in the same class as his big oldies, this is nevertheless still a decent effort which deserves looking at.​

Edward Hamilton & The Arabians - Thank Your Mother

Another one of Eddies lesser known tracks, this time a mean and moody mid tempo effort.

Another one which seems trickier than ever to track down, maybe the collectors don't want to part.

A great Detroit oldie for your collection.

Willie G - Meet Me Halfway

Detroit writer and producer William Garrett worked with lots of acts including, Don Hart, The Magictones, Lee Rogers, J.J. Barnes and The Fabulous Peps, amongst others.

Here Willie cuts a vocal on this moody piece of Detroit soul on a very collectible label..

It is a 45 I have owned for a long time, but I am only just starting to appreciate how good it is.​

Ed Townsend - Don't Lead Me On

"Edward Benjamin Townsend" was raised in Memphis, where his father was a pastor in a local church.

Ed is perhaps best known as the co writer of "Let's Get It On" for "Marvin Gaye".

"Ed" co wrote this 1966 recording with "Jessie Herring", and they have produced a beautiful beat ballad.

An emotion filled track which begs to be played over and over.

I bought this for my wife, as she loves this type of beat ballad.

Ed Townsend - Who Would Deny Me

Here is another great slowie from Ed.

This is an emotion filled almost deep soul beat ballad, which sounds oh so good when in a chilled out mood.

If you like this type of sound, then there is a page on face book (Beat Ballad Heaven), which is dedicated to soulful tracks like these two.​